Rear-end signal for vehicles.



3. Rusms. REAR END SiGNAL FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION HLED AUG-24.1917- Patented May 21,1918.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1 GEMS-Jags %@6 Afro/Mrs e. RUSJAS. BEAR END SIGNAL FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-.24. l9l7.

Patented May 21,1918.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2 WITNESSES m E N M U A GABRIEL RUSIAS, OF HABANA, CUBA REAR-END SIGNAL FOR VEHICLES.

Application filed August 24, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

le it known that. I, GABRIEL Rnsms, a citizen ot' the Republic of Cuba, and a resident. of Habana, Cuba. have invented a new and Improved Rear-End Signal for Yehicles, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. 4

- Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: to provide a simple means for indicating a warning in trattic; to employ a single device for indicating various intentions with reference to the tratiic; to provide a structure ditticult to damage; and to provide means for operating the signal in correspondence with the operation of an automobile with which the sig nalis associated.

Drawings.

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of one of the signal apparatuses shown in the active position thereof; i t

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the same;

Fig. 3 is a side edge view of the same, and showing in connection therewith by dotted lines, the inactive position of the signal 4 is an outline View of an automobile showing a signal mechanism of the character mentioned constructedand arranged in accordance with the present. invention, the signal apparatus at one side of the automobile being shown in active position, and the signal at the opposite side being shown in inactive position;

Fig. 5 is a side view in outline of the car and of the signal apparatus in active posi-' tion thereon;

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the car showing the signals inthe positions outlined in the above described figures;

Fig. 7'is a cross section of a portion of the signaling apparatus, the section being taken ason the line 7-7 in Fig. 1. Description.

As seen in the drawings, the signal appa ratus embodies a target 15, the field whereof is preferably of a solid color having an insrription, such as the word Stop imprinted thereon, the inscription being in a distinctive color. The target is preterablv round and is mounted on resilient arms 16. The arms 16 are n'eim'ably constructed of closely coiled spring wire. The objeet ol this eonstruction is that il' whcnthe targets are ex tended they are struck, the arms it; will yield Specification of Letters Patent:

Pat entcd May 21, 1.91 8..

Serial No. 187,987.

and prevent damage to the apparatus. The inner ends oi the arms 16 are rigidly connected with the target arms 17. The target arms 17 are rigidly connected with rotary standards 18.

The standards 18 have formed therein spiral grooves 19. and have sliding hearings in brackets 20. In the lower bracket 20 and extending into the groove 19. is a guide pin 21. The brackets 20 are rigidly connected with a face plate 22 in active service to the side of an automobile adjacent the rear thereofi by "fasteners. such as the screws 23. The normal or inactive position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawings. is maintained by a coil spring 24, one free end whereof bears against the face plate 2; and the other free end against one of the arms 17.

When a standard 18 is depressed. the groove 19 riding over the pin 21 rotates the said standard on its axis and gyrates the arm 17 and target 15 connected therewith. The movement of the standard 18 is regulated by a suitable stop member. This is caused by a slide plate25. The slide plate 25 is suitably held on the face plate 22 and has attached to the lower end thereoi, a pull ehain 26. In the action of the apparatus, whenever the pull chain 26 is drawn. the slide plate 25 is depressed and the bracket arm 27 bears upon the flange plate. 28, or a trietion-reducing bearing between the said bracket and flange plate 28. The pull on the chain Qtiis exerted through the i-nedium of certain manuallyoperated devices adjacent the drivers station in the automobile as hereinafter set forth.

In the daylight the difi'erence in color between the field ot the. target 15 and the inscription thereon is sutlicient to be seen by a person driving a following automobile. At night, the face of the target is illuminated by an electric globe 29. The globe 29 is covered by a shield 30. so arranged that the light of the globe may not be viewed from the rear of the automobile 'on which it is applied, when the device is in the. inactive position. The globe 2t) and parts associated therewith are supported in brackets 31 and cross bars 32. The bars extend between the arms-17 and are joined therewith b means of screws 3?). Electricity is supplied to the globe 29 from any suitable source and by means oi wires 3 l Vhen the pulling strain is released on the chains .26, the springs 24 rapidly rotate.the

'the power-connected ends of the levers standards 18 and parts assoeiated therewith. To save'the targets 15 and parts with which the same are brought in contact, each target is provided with a cushion button 35.

As seen best in' Fig. 4: to (3, inclusive, the

'targets 15 and parts associated therewith are operated to be moved to the active positions thereof by means of levers 36 and 3?, and a toot brake 38. As shown best by dotted lines in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the lever so and 37 are operatively connected with the slide plates 25 by means oi iiexible lines 39, bell crank levers it), and pull. chains so. As seen best in Fig. (3 ot' the drawings, the chains 26 are rove over guide pulleys 41. The end of each bell crank lever 40 is connected independently with one of the l vers 3G and 37. By this means, the driver may operate the lever 36 or 37, which moves the target 15 on the side of the automobile in the direction which he intends to turn. l't' it is the right-hand side of the auto mobile he will operate the lever 87, with the effect as shown best in Fig. & of the drawings, that the target 15 on the righthaud side of the automobile will he extended. in this position, the tareet may be seen in the daytime without the use oi the lamp or globe 29'. in the nighttime, the globe 29 throwing its rays on the target, discloses it to the driver ol the following automobile.

The same is true oi the target at the left-hand side of the automobile. This would be operated through the n'iedium of the lever 36.

The lovers 36 and 37 are conveniently placed and at the option of the driver or designer.

As shown best in Fig. slof the dra 'ings, 4.0 are connected by a bridle 42, to a line 43, which is operatively connected with the foot brake 38. The foot brake 38 is applied. only when stopping or checking the speed or the automobile. In either use, when the foot brake is applied, the line 43 is drawn, with the result that the lovers 4!) are simultaneously rocked and. the pull chains 26 drawn upon, to the eii'eet that the targets 15 at both sides olthe automobile are effiended.

lt is obvious that. the operation of the targets 15 in the above manner bears such a close resemblenre to the usual targets of hand-signaling from an autoniobiie, as to require no education or instruction. 1t

he see.

would be natural for the driver of a following automobile or other vehicle who sees the signal at one side oi: the preceding automobile, which ordered him to stop, to turn to the side where. the warning did not occur. Likewise, it would be perfectly natural "for the said driver to understand when signals at both sides of the autoino' bile giving the same warning, that a full stop or a cautious approach is necessary.

Claims.

1. in a rear-end signal for ehicles, a signal apparatus en'ibodying a. target, means for pivotally mounting the same on the side of a vehicle, yielding supports for said target or normally mai taining the extended position oi? said target for permitting the target to yield to pressure applied thereto, and an electric lamp arranged to illuminate the ace of said target in all positions thereof.

2. in a rear-end signal for vehicles, a signal apparatus embodying a target, means for pivotaily mounting the same on the side of a vehicle, yielding supportstor said target for normally maintaining the extended position of said target for permitting the targetto yield to pressure applied thereto, and an electric lamp arranged to illuminate the ace of said target in all positions thereof; a pivoted standard for said target and associated parts, said standard having a spiral groove; manually operated means for depressing said standard; and a stationary guide pin fitting in said groove for rotating said standard.

3. In a, rear-end signal for vehicles, a signal apparatus embodying a target, means for pivotally mounting the same on the side of a. vehicle, yieldingsupports for said target. for normally maintaining the extended posit ion of said target for permitting the target to yield to pressure applied thereto, and an electric lamp arranged to illuminate the face of said target in all positions thereof; a pivoted standard for said target and associated pa1ts,said standard having a spiral groove; manually-(uierated means for depressing said standard; a stationary guide pin fitting in said groove for rotating said standard; and a coil spring adapted to retractirely rotate said standard when released troni manual control.

G .i Bill Eli RUSILKS. 

